Faith Lacking Understanding: Theology 'Through a Glass, Darkly

In an attempt to put mystery back at the heart of Christian theology, Rauser leads the reader on a riveting and, at times, unsettling journey through the major doctrines encapsulated in the Apostles' Creed. In each case he illustrates how a theoretical understanding of the doctrine as yet eludes us. We simply do not know, for example, what it means for God to be Trinity, or how Christ can be both human and divine, or how the atonement works. Rauser shows that the journey of thinking theologically which arises out of a love for, and worship of God within a communal atmosphere is as important as the end result of achieving doctrines that approximate reality. In this way the author seeks to steer us on a middle course between the twin errors of evangelicalism (heightening the doctrine) and liberalism (heightening the process).